Thursday, August 5, 2010
I had been listening to reggae music for some time by that point. I was a Bob Marley fan and spent a good portion of my time driving back and forth from Santa Ynez to Santa Barbara listening to my cassettes. I had of course Marley's Legend throughout high school and when I started college I was listening to his children, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers. I had time to clear my mind, dream of the future and enjoy the present, sadly it was only for forty five minutes each way but once I came over the mountain and saw the beautiful ocean and city that nestled on the shores, I knew I was home for that remaining twenty minute drive down. The view was breathtaking as were the people who resided there. I didn't think there was a ugly looking person everywhere I looked as people were communal and appreciated their habitat. Sadly, I was only an observer and was on the outside looking in. :p
For some reggae is about a good time and positive vibes. It is about what you as a person can bring to the party, a smile, a handshake, a hug, a laugh, through enthusiasm and happiness. For other listeners, the music is about a vibe, a spiritual journey, a religous affiliation, or perhaps a prophecy. In the middle, I think are warriors, the ones that understand struggle, trials and tribulations. They are the ones that uprise to balance the scales in equality. It's within the power of redemption, retribution, restitution and regards to race that salvages us from becoming savages in this world.
The musicality of reggae is rooted in philosophy thats universal. Many misunderstand the cultural practice of smoking herb as the only reason to listen to Rasta. It's in the the speech and language of a culture that differentiates time and space. In reggae, the music does not require understanding but overstanding. The term "overstand" originates from the patois language of the Jamaicans. Breaking the words down in the prefixes explains the obvious, as under is beneath, below, lower or covered. For a subjugated group those words are negative. In response to those negative ideas, the word, "overstand" represents the positive and represents the rise from oppression within knowledge. It is not to just accept an idea, concept or belief but to bring those ideologies to life. The word over refers to above, upon, reaching or engaged. The study of Rastafari often is correlated to the study of epistemics or the theory of cognitions with the perceptual, intellectual and linguistics of reggae, religious doctrines of Rastafarians, and spiritual reasoning from life experiences compared to academic rationalizing. The main goal in overstanding is self sufficiency and sustainability.
Wisdom is better than silver or gold (Zion Train ~ Bob Marley). In mainstream reggae, no one is more recognized that the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley. It must be said that he wouldn't have been the man he was without others by his side and they are often forgotten. The Wailers, his wife, Rita, the other backup singers of the I Threes harmonized the sound that reverberated the world. As reggae is a subculture from mainstream culture, the treasures of other artists have yet to receive the world recognition comparable to Bob Marley. However, the unification of the artistry speaks in volumes as the words of Rasta, reggae and roots culture have become heard, seen and known. From ska, to roots, to rock steady, to lovers rock and to dancehall, for all styles, the prevailing theme of reggae music concerns individual self worth and where in history they belong. Dependent on the artist, their songs and styles, I believe the music still speaks to the masses. Peter Tosh went solo and did the same thing as did so many others. From the roots, to the saplings, to the trunk, to the branches, to the limbs and to the leaves, the woods that stand before me is like a family of ideas that keeps growing.
Within any religion, there's often a fine line between worship and believing. In reggae music, the teachings are about living for God. We have heard it time and time again with the religions of the past, as the Scriptures and scared writings of the Bible, the Torah and the Koran. However, in Rasta, like Buddhists, there is a lack of formal principles in the spiritual culture and its often highly valued as individual journeys in knowledge. They are looser in structure but remain schools of thought compared to the strict religious dogma and pragmatics of Catholics or Muslim sects. Though, like in any religion there are definitive absolutes. For many Rastas and non Rastas believe the time is now, with the proclaimation that God is an living man and reincarnated in His Imperial Majesty, the Ethiopian king and ruler, Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie I was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Historically, Ethiopia and the region is deeply rooted in Christianity as it is considered the oldest Christian monarch in Africa. Selassie's history is vast and complex but he is also the only first internationally recognized black leaders of the 20th century, as he is known as the King of Kings.
Zion Train
Which man can save his brother's soul? (save your brother's soul)
Oh man, it's just self control. (oo-hoo-oo!)
Don't gain the gold and lose your soul (just don't lose your soul)
Wisdom is better than silver and gold -
To the bridge (ooh-ooh!)
Oh, where there's a will,
There's always a way.
Where there's a will,
There's always a way (way, way, way, way),
Soul train is coming our way; er!
Soul train is coming our way.
The musicality of reggae is rooted in philosophy thats universal. Many misunderstand the cultural practice of smoking herb as the only reason to listen to Rasta. It's in the the speech and language of a culture that differentiates time and space. In reggae, the music does not require understanding but overstanding. The term "overstand" originates from the patois language of the Jamaicans. Breaking the words down in the prefixes explains the obvious, as under is beneath, below, lower or covered. For a subjugated group those words are negative. In response to those negative ideas, the word, "overstand" represents the positive and represents the rise from oppression within knowledge. It is not to just accept an idea, concept or belief but to bring those ideologies to life. The word over refers to above, upon, reaching or engaged. The study of Rastafari often is correlated to the study of epistemics or the theory of cognitions with the perceptual, intellectual and linguistics of reggae, religious doctrines of Rastafarians, and spiritual reasoning from life experiences compared to academic rationalizing. The main goal in overstanding is self sufficiency and sustainability.
Wisdom is better than silver or gold (Zion Train ~ Bob Marley). In mainstream reggae, no one is more recognized that the Honorable Robert Nesta Marley. It must be said that he wouldn't have been the man he was without others by his side and they are often forgotten. The Wailers, his wife, Rita, the other backup singers of the I Threes harmonized the sound that reverberated the world. As reggae is a subculture from mainstream culture, the treasures of other artists have yet to receive the world recognition comparable to Bob Marley. However, the unification of the artistry speaks in volumes as the words of Rasta, reggae and roots culture have become heard, seen and known. From ska, to roots, to rock steady, to lovers rock and to dancehall, for all styles, the prevailing theme of reggae music concerns individual self worth and where in history they belong. Dependent on the artist, their songs and styles, I believe the music still speaks to the masses. Peter Tosh went solo and did the same thing as did so many others. From the roots, to the saplings, to the trunk, to the branches, to the limbs and to the leaves, the woods that stand before me is like a family of ideas that keeps growing.
Within any religion, there's often a fine line between worship and believing. In reggae music, the teachings are about living for God. We have heard it time and time again with the religions of the past, as the Scriptures and scared writings of the Bible, the Torah and the Koran. However, in Rasta, like Buddhists, there is a lack of formal principles in the spiritual culture and its often highly valued as individual journeys in knowledge. They are looser in structure but remain schools of thought compared to the strict religious dogma and pragmatics of Catholics or Muslim sects. Though, like in any religion there are definitive absolutes. For many Rastas and non Rastas believe the time is now, with the proclaimation that God is an living man and reincarnated in His Imperial Majesty, the Ethiopian king and ruler, Haile Selassie. Haile Selassie I was an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. Historically, Ethiopia and the region is deeply rooted in Christianity as it is considered the oldest Christian monarch in Africa. Selassie's history is vast and complex but he is also the only first internationally recognized black leaders of the 20th century, as he is known as the King of Kings.
Zion Train
Which man can save his brother's soul? (save your brother's soul)
Oh man, it's just self control. (oo-hoo-oo!)
Don't gain the gold and lose your soul (just don't lose your soul)
Wisdom is better than silver and gold -
To the bridge (ooh-ooh!)
Oh, where there's a will,
There's always a way.
Where there's a will,
There's always a way (way, way, way, way),
Soul train is coming our way; er!
Soul train is coming our way.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Cognition is the Ignition
One thing about the written language it that it transcends age anyone can write or type but the diction in written form is usually by the relational and spacial indicator of the author. As the internet has opened the door to typed verbage, anyone can curse up a storm, regress to infantile babble or adolescent lingo. Today, the current internet slang is with the use of acronyms. They are on the rise and best utilized in jest or expressions of affection.
Funny how the little words like "I love you" of that past can translate into three little letters, like lol, you just made me laugh. Those three words generally carried some existentialists profound meaning that made it so difficult for the words to be spoken aloud or least in the correct context. On the opposite end it might have lost meaning and translation in its ever frequent use or expectations of them to be said, heard and felt. They are just three words, it is the person who says them and how they mean it that makes the difference.
Perhaps, now we have an easier aptitude to "lmao" or to send a picture of a tiny heart and have it hold so much of ourselves as we trustfully had just given it to someone we "like" or don't even know. In this, we can become better people by giving of ourselves the slightest notion of care and concern. We smile behind the computer screen and sometimes tears formulate when we read about others. Older people can relate to younger generations once again, myself included. The question is do other languages have the same affinity for idioms such as this? At least the visual emotiocons are universal as limited as they are.
In my opinion, the education system needs to incorporate communication skills into the curriculum for the fact the childhood has been shortened by technology and less resources. Children have less time to read in school and even less at home. With this breakdown in the more formal type of communication, rationalization decreases. Children are able to connect more with adults with the shared experience of the internet, cell phones, and digitalized media but at what price are children leaving childhood behind? Emotional intelligence must be cohesive with formal language, like the written word.
In many ways, my daughters' generation should be considered the IT generation. I.T. meaning internet technology, like a technician, children's learning skills concerning the advent of technology should be taught appropriate learning skills instead of leaning on technology as a crutch or a means of escape. It is important for American children to be taught media literacy. It should be embraced with emotional intelligence. Although, these are some classes I took, they are concepts that are relatively new or revised. It is information that is often the responsiblity of the parent to teach their kids these levels of social skills but it should be incorporated into the regular academic curriculum for high school students, possibly for the junior high levels as introductory subjects. These effect tools prepare youths to understand their world better.
Funny how the little words like "I love you" of that past can translate into three little letters, like lol, you just made me laugh. Those three words generally carried some existentialists profound meaning that made it so difficult for the words to be spoken aloud or least in the correct context. On the opposite end it might have lost meaning and translation in its ever frequent use or expectations of them to be said, heard and felt. They are just three words, it is the person who says them and how they mean it that makes the difference.
Perhaps, now we have an easier aptitude to "lmao" or to send a picture of a tiny heart and have it hold so much of ourselves as we trustfully had just given it to someone we "like" or don't even know. In this, we can become better people by giving of ourselves the slightest notion of care and concern. We smile behind the computer screen and sometimes tears formulate when we read about others. Older people can relate to younger generations once again, myself included. The question is do other languages have the same affinity for idioms such as this? At least the visual emotiocons are universal as limited as they are.
In my opinion, the education system needs to incorporate communication skills into the curriculum for the fact the childhood has been shortened by technology and less resources. Children have less time to read in school and even less at home. With this breakdown in the more formal type of communication, rationalization decreases. Children are able to connect more with adults with the shared experience of the internet, cell phones, and digitalized media but at what price are children leaving childhood behind? Emotional intelligence must be cohesive with formal language, like the written word.
In many ways, my daughters' generation should be considered the IT generation. I.T. meaning internet technology, like a technician, children's learning skills concerning the advent of technology should be taught appropriate learning skills instead of leaning on technology as a crutch or a means of escape. It is important for American children to be taught media literacy. It should be embraced with emotional intelligence. Although, these are some classes I took, they are concepts that are relatively new or revised. It is information that is often the responsiblity of the parent to teach their kids these levels of social skills but it should be incorporated into the regular academic curriculum for high school students, possibly for the junior high levels as introductory subjects. These effect tools prepare youths to understand their world better.
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